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A WORRIED boater contacted us recently about an engine that was 'uncontrollable when warm'!
After a short question and answer session, Phil identified the problem and probable cause. The engine, a two cylinder SABB in an engine room, was coming up to normal operating temperature working correctly but then the revs progressively increased, regardless of throttle position and was difficult to stop!
It appeared to Phil that the engine was so worn that it was starting to draw and operate on its own oil, and not diesel, once hot.
Phil recommended to the potential customer that a major recondition be in order as the only cure. How much would this cost was the next question. Having had some experience with recent prices for a single cylinder SABB, we were reluctant to give even a 'ball-park figure' until we had contacted the agent for SABB.
Frightening price
As anyone will tell you who has had to deal with 'sole-agents', the prices that came back were frightening! For example the bare' piston would be £348 plus shipping, plus VAT! Remember that this is for a bare piston—no rings, gudgeon pin or circlips—and there are two pistons! The prices for the remainder of the parts are just as excessive. By the time the engine is fully refurbished the cost would be of the order of £4,500 (plus VAT) including our charges.
We recommended that a replacement engine would probably be a more cost effective solution and that considerable thought should be used before embarking on refurbishing the existing engine. It is a 'Fact of Life' that any part that can only be sourced from a sole agent supplier nearly always carries a cost penalty, and is outside the control of the engineers doing the actual work.
This is also true for the older 'obsolete' character engines that are commonly found in narrowboats. The costly overhead of rare or overseas manufactured parts should be considered when purchasing boat engines!
Lighter note
On a somewhat lighter note, a less depressing anecdote is needed!
Picture this, it is early February and the canal and marina in Kings Bromley is frozen. It has been snowing. The members of a boat syndicate are snug in the boat with the solid fuel stove glowing nicely then—the radiators from the Aldi gas heater stop working!
First thoughts—check the pump. It's not working! Maybe fuse has blown. No, fuses check out okay. Don't panic—call the boatyard that does the servicing? So on that same afternoon we received a phone call requesting a visit, and Phil was despatched on the not inconsiderable drive.
Penny dropped
On arrival, Phil (after graciously accepting a cup of tea—white, no sugar) carried out the usual checks. Fuses okay? Yes. Pump and pipe system fully functional from a separate 12v supply? Yes. The penny then dropped—the cabin was lovely and warm—the thermostat was high on the wall opposite the solid fuel stove. Phil went immediately to the thermostat and turned it up, and the pump started gaily working. Embarrassment all round!
Orph Mable |
